This Advent Countdown I have used for many years*....I thought maybe I would skip it this year and do something a little different. Well after many "Pleas" from the kids, I hung it up. Then the fun job was to come up with 25 fun things for them to do. Since they are getting older, I wanted to incorporate some bible verses with a little more meaning. Hope this will inspire you to make each day in December just a little extra special.
Advent Count Down
December 1st: (A Quarter) Equals 25 cents. But 25 also stands for the number of days until Christmas, when God gave us his best present. Jesus told about one woman's gift and the way she gave it. (Mark 12:41-44)
December 2nd: (Grape Gum) Grapes make Jelly and Juice, Raisins and Wine. Jesus didn't need grapes to perform his first miracle. (John 2:1-10)
December 3rd: Here's a smile! (Smile Stickers) A smile, usually expresses happiness. Jesus gave us many instructions to keep happy. (Matthew 5:1-10)
December 4th: (Gummy Fish) Fish! Well, if you were surprised to find these fish, wait till you read the story today. Others were surprised to find fish, too. (Luke 5:4-7)
December 5th: (Birthday Candle, make cupcakes) As you know we are getting ready to celebrate Jesus' birthday. However, Jesus talked about something else that is related to this candle...light! (Matthew 5:14-16)
December 6th: (Noise Maker) You can make some noise with this. But it would not have bothered a certain man, until he met Jesus (Mark 7:31-37)
December 7th: (Small snack & Multiplication Game) These would not go very far if you were really hungry, especially if you had to share them with your whole class. Jesus could make so much out of so little. Surely he knew how to multiply. (Matthew 14:13-21)
December 8th: (Cotton Balls) These Cotton Balls would be helpful in a thunderstorm, wouldn't they? We could use them to muffle the loud noises that thunder makes. We know someone who doesn't need cotton. Jesus can control the weather. (Matthew 8:23-27)
December 9th: (Map, Scavenger Hunt) Without this map, you would not be able to find the treasure. Don't get lost, loose the treasure! (John 14:1-6)
December 10th: (Soap) It's Soap! Do you like to wash? Behind your ears? Washing turned out to be a happy time for a man who met Jesus. (John 9:1-7)
December 11th: (Hearts, Make Cards with Hearts Stamped on Them) Wordlessly, they speak of love, don't they? Jesus spoke some commandments about love. (Matthew 25:17-41)
December 12th: (Crosses to Decorate) We use the cross to symbol, represent Jesus. Do you know why? (Philippians 2:1-11)
December 13th: (Ordinary Salt, project with Salt) Yes, Jesus related salt to us and our behavior. He also gave us some advice . (Matthew 5:14 and Colossians 4:6) **Notice that he doesn't recommend pepper.
December 14th: (Sand, sand art project) Don't try to eat it! It reminds us that Jesus knows something about architecture, about buildings....about building lives. (Matthew7:24-29)
December 15th: (Flowers, place on our loved ones graves) Flowers are pretty! Jesus used flowers to teach us a reassuring lesson (Matthew 6:28-34)
December 16th: (Raisins) Many Children are given raisins instead of candy for a snack. That's because they are health-promoting and a delicious fruit. Jesus told us how we can produce good fruit. (John 15:1-5)
December 17th: (Bag of different types of seeds we eat) Jesus told a story about seeds that man planted. Then explained it revealing it's deep meaning. (Matthew 13:3-8 and Matthew 13:18-23)
December 18th: (sing songs & bake Christmas cookies) Christmas is just about a week away. Sing songs to celebrate and sing loudly. (Psalms 100)
December 19th: (Stone, make bread) Can you change this stone into a piece of bread? Do you think Jesus could? Jesus was asked to just that. Do you know how he handled it? (Matthew 4:1-4)
December 20th: (Aluminum Foil) Try to smooth out this aluminum foil and use it as a mirror. It is hard to see your reflection plainly, isn't it? Many circumstances are hard to understand, but someday everything will be clear. (1 Corinthians 13:12)
December 21st: (Volunteer Bell Ringer) Mustard seed is the smallest there is! When it sprouts, it grows into the largest plant. Even the littlest acts of kindness can make a huge difference (Matthew 3:13-17)
December 22nd: (Bird, purchase a pet bird) We've learned that the cross represents Christ, but do you know what the dove stands for? (Matthew 3:13-17)
December 23rd: (Make Stockings) The treads that compose this fabric came from wool of a sheep. Jesus called himself a good Shepherd. Do you know who his sheep are? (John 10:7-18)
December 24th: (Marble, play Marble Game) Do you know what is sometimes called the "Big Blue Marble"....The world. God made the world for us. What does he continue doing to the world? Who is the world? (John 3:16)
December 25th: (Baby, we place baby Jesus in the manger) Jesus was born a baby, just like each one of us. He came to make the whole world happy! (Luke 2:1-20)
*For more information and instructions on how to make this great Advent Calendar check out links under Project Templates.
